Chapter 25: Summer Break (1)

Ruruko Nimura was smiling, her sandals were slapping against the pavement as her legs ran down the suburban streets of Kuoh, a large smile on her face as she zeroes in on the two-story house down the road.

Placing her hands on the small gate in front of the house, Ruruko didn't bother to open it as she jumped over the gate like a practicing athlete, ignoring how her twin-tailed hair slapped her in the face as her feet landed on the ground once again.

With barely any wait, Ruruko started knocking loudly on the door to the house, calling to the inhabitants inside.

"Boss Senpai! Open Up!" The Young Girl shouted as one small fist banged on the door, her other hand holding onto a handbag, a mischievous smile spreading on her face as her mind wandered to what she planned to do today.

Soon the door to the house opened, revealing a short woman wearing thick-rimmed glasses and a flowery sundress, her shoulder-length black hair was tucked behind her ears, her head was covered by a wide-brimmed straw hat, a pair of white sunglasses resting over the brim of the hat.

"Hello Motomama!" Ruruko cheerfully greeted Motohama Kaho, the single parent of the Motohama Household, "Is Ken here?" Ruruko leaned on her toes as she tried to look into the house, "I have a pool at home and wondered if he wanted to come swim with me!" She smiled cheerfully up to the Mother.

"Oh, Sweetie, That's so nice of you," Kaho Motohama smiled gently as she cupped Ruruko's cheek, the girl pulling herself into the cupped hand as if she was a dog being pet, "But I'm sorry, Ken and I are getting ready to leave," Kaho turned around, inviting Ruruko to follow her into the house.

"What? You're leaving?" Ruruko asked with a hint of worry as she took her sandals off, placing the handbag with the Swimsuit she was planning to show off next to the door of the house, her plan for the day already ruined.

"Only for the last days of July, We're going to be staying at my parents' place in Kumamoto," Kaho told Ruruko as she moved to make some tea for her new guest.

"Kumamoto... But that's on Kyushu! That's a whole different island!" Ruruko exclaimed, her mind quickly trying to think of ways to keep in contact with her friend when he was in Kumamoto and she was all the way in Tokyo.

Would he even get a cell phone signal all the way down south?!

Ruruko was devastated, her plan of having fun with her Senpai was ruined! Now he'll never see her cute new swimsuit!!!

"I know," Kaho said with a soft smile as she pet the Ruruko's head, "But it's only for the last ten days of July, You and Ken can go swimming once August comes around, we should be back here by then," She laid a cup of tea in front of her, Smiling gently as she took a sip of her own tea, "I have some Mochi in the freezer, you can take it, It's not like I'll be eating it all the way from Kumamoto," Kaho chuckled to herself as she stood up to take the box of Mochi from the freezer, "And Ken might try to hide it around me, but I know he hates my sweets," Kaho smiled at the memory of all the times she watched her Son put up a brave face as he forced himself to eat Dango and Mochi with her, "So I doubt he'd mind if it was gone," She placed the small box of Mochi on the table in front of Ruruko, opening it and grabbing a Matcha Green Tea ball of Mochi and plopping it into her mouth, a content smile on her face.

Ruruko stared at the Green balls of Mochi in front of her, a pout on her face, before her hand moved and a ball of Mochi was thrown into her mouth.

"Thanks, Motomama..." Ruruko said while chewing, Quickly swallowing her food and taking another sip of her tea, "I'll be sure to come back early in August, so be back here by then!"

Kaho smiled at the younger girl, "I'm glad Ken has such good friends," the words caused Ruruko's pouting face to beam with happiness.

"Heh, what can I say?" Ruruko turned away from Kaho, trying to hide the blush on her face, "I'm supposed to be the Best and Cutest Kouhai in the world," She said with a smirk, her eyes refusing to meet with the short smiling woman.

Ruruko Nimura spent the next fifteen minutes drinking tea and eating Mochi with the mother of her favorite Senpai, before picking her bag back up, now with an extra box of White chocolate and Strawberry flavored Mochi inside.

She might not have been able to showcase her cute new Swimsuit to her Senpai, but at least she ate some ice cream.

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Sitting in a car driving down an old road in the Japanese Countryside, I rested my head on the window, looking at the paddy fields filled with Rice outside, my body trying to fall asleep but my brain was not tired enough.

Who decided it was a good idea to reach the airport at five in the morning, only to then need to wait three hours before boarding our plane? We were flying to Kumamoto! We spent more time in the airport than in the actual plane!

I just want to go back to sleep...

"Ken, Wake up, we're here," Mom's soft voice urged me to open my bloodshot eyes, cringing as the warm sun hit my face.

"Ow..." I whispered weakly as I unbuckled the seatbelt and got out of the rental.

I looked at my grandparents' house as I picked up my luggage, staring at the large traditionally built house, at the sliding doors, the beautiful garden, the pond with the Koi, And at the future sight of where my back was going to break sleeping on tatami mats.

"Kaho-chan, Ken-chan, Come here!" Hearing a voice calling out to us, I turned my head to look at the old man walking towards us, his eyes squinting heavily as he had his arms spread out in greeting.

I immediately dropped my bag and ran up to the old man, Hugging him as I rested my head on his chest, his arms closing around me in a warm embrace.

"Hey Grandpa," I smiled, enjoying the familial warmth emanating from the old man as he hugged me.

I love my Family.

And I can't wait to have a peaceful vacation where nothing crazy happens.

...

I jinxed it, Didn't I?

...Shit.